Downstage’s submission to the Wellington City Council for $90 000 to meet a cashflow shortage was approved at Wednesday’s council meeting.
Downstage Director/CEO Hilary Beaton said: “I am pleased that the Councilors unanimously voted in favour of the submission. It recognises the vital role Downstage plays in the city’s art and cultural infrastructure.”
Downstage is committed to preparing a comprehensive business plan for Council. Changes for 2012 are likely to include a greater role for fixed-revenue ‘subsidised venue hire’ arrangements, but Downstage under Beaton’s leadership remains committed to showcasing locally crafted work and providing professional, guaranteed wage employment for performers and technicians.
In presenting to Council, Downstage noted that four years ago the Wellington City Council and Creative New Zealand encouraged the company to understand and respond to a changed landscape. The result was the Presenting Partnerships model, which has formed the basis of Downstage’s programming since 2008.
Downstage’s report to Council indicated that this model had led to increased audiences prior to 2011 at a rate of around 2000 per year, despite a 40% reduction in Creative New Zealand funding. The re-instatement of multi-year funding from CNZ for 2012/13, plus additional funding for audience development are seen as an endorsement of the theatre’s management and model.
Beaton says: “Our programming has been artistically successful, and has grown our audience. But we learned some hard lessons this year. We forecast for continued growth and this did not occur. In part this was due to major external factors, but our task from here is to adapt our model for increased resilience in difficult circumstances. ”
Councilors noted that Downstage was not alone in having forecast stronger revenues for 2011 than were forthcoming.
Beaton says: “We are accountable to the people of Wellington, and the people of New Zealand. I invite you to come and see what we do. New Zealand theatre artists and craftspeople are world-class, and we are showcasing their work. You will not be disappointed.”
Downstage remains active in 2011, with dance/theatre work Carnival Hound opening its 3 night run on Thursday 3 Nov.